Met Office issue 22-hour weather warning as ex-Hurricane Ernesto brings 'heavy rain and gusts up to 60mph' to lash UK

21 August 2024, 12:13 | Updated: 21 August 2024, 12:39

The Met Office has issued a major 22 hour weather warning as the tail end of ex-Hurricane Ernesto sweeps parts of the UK.

Heavy downpours and high winds look set to sweep parts of the country, with the meteorological office warned the home nations should brace for "a period of heavy rain and strong winds".

Gusts of between 50mph and 60mph are expected to hit areas of the UK, with seven yellow weather warnings issued and flooding likely in some areas.

Starting on Wednesday lunchtime and running through to 8am on Thursday, the adverse weather warnings will see gusts "strong enough to blow over trees".

The office went on to note that wet and windy conditions could lead to "injuries and a danger to life" in some coastal areas.

Commuters can expect delays, with the weather impacting the road network, trains, planes and ferries.

The warnings also highlighted a "chance of power cuts and loss of other services".

The Met Office's Jason Kelly explained: “While Ernesto itself will have dissipated by the time it reaches the UK, left over warm air and moisture will help to pep up some of the rainfall totals in the northwest in the coming days.”

It warned that Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions, with some roads flooded and potential closures a distinct possibility.

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Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “A band of rain will move in from the west on Wednesday morning and will become slow moving with heavy bursts of rain at times, especially over high ground in Scotland.

"This rain will persist into Thursday for many within the warning area, with 75-100mm likely quite widely, with higher accumulations possible over the higher ground.

“Gusty winds will accompany the rain, with 50-60mph possible near Irish Sea coasts and the west of Scotland.

"Coupled with spring tides, this could lead to some dangerous coastal conditions before winds gradually ease later on Thursday.”

Regions and local authorities affected:

Central, Tayside & Fife

Falkirk
Fife

North East England

Durham
Northumberland

North West England

Cumbria

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders

Dumfries and Galloway
East Lothian
Edinburgh
Midlothian Council
Scottish Borders
West Lothian

Highlands & Eilean Siar

Na h-Eileanan Siar
Highland

Strathclyde

Argyll and Bute
East Ayrshire
East Renfrewshire
Inverclyde
North Ayrshire
North Lanarkshire
Renfrewshire
South Ayrshire
South Lanarkshire

Wales

Conwy
Gwynedd
Isle of Anglesey